Regulator



Feb. 5, 1946.

WITNESSES:

B. o. AUSTIN 2,393,951

REGULATOR Filed Jan. 12, 1944 INVENTOR Bascum 0. Austin.

P F b. s, 1946 This invention relates to electrical apparatus Y and, particularly, regulators of the pile'type.

An object of this invention is the provision of a pile regulator having a floating pile sensitive to predetermined conditions oi operation. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a pile regulator having opposed actuating mechanisms disposed to maintain a pile therebetween in floating relation for applying pressure thereto in response topredetermined conditions.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the single figure oi which is a view in elevation. and. partly in section, oi a regulator embodying the teachings of this invention.

Referring to the drawing, this invention is ilhlstrated by reference to a regulator l8 shown therein. The regulator I8 is of the pile ype. havingastacki2oi'alisneddisksl8ofhlghresistin a sectionalized housing or casing l8 and disposed to be operated byoppositely disposed electromagnets l8 and 28. The casing I8 is formed of a plurality 01 sections, two end sections 22 and 28 being connected by an intermediate con- 'stricted section 28 within which is mounted the pile or stack I2. I

A stock I2 of disks I8 is assembled in operative relation on a shaft or rod 28 of insulating material such as a ceramic rod, the rod 28 extending through openings 88 positioned centrally in each of the disks I8 for maintaining the disks in aligned relation. Pressure plates 82-and 88 are disposed at opposite ends of the stack, being carried by sleeves 88 and 88, respectively, or conducting material disposed about the ends of the rod 28 for movement relative thereto. As illustrated, the stack I2 is insulated from the constricted section 28 of the case, a tube 88 of porcelain 'or the like being disposed within the section 28 in spaced relation to the stack, and being maintained in position by end rings 82 and 88 positioned at the ends of the tube 88 as by weldin: them to the case.

The stack I2 is maintained in a floating relation within the case l8 by the armature assembly of the opposed electromagnets l8 and 28. Each of the electromfl ets l8 and 28 in th embodiment illustrated is identical, comprising a winding 88, a core member 88 and an armature member 88. The winding 88 of electromagnets l8 and 28 is disposed to seat against the outer surrace of partitions 82 and 88, respectively, of the end sections 22 and 28, while the core members man, Pa adena-attend "lamlarylglmserlallwo. 517,918

East Pittsburgh,

88 areadiustablycarriedinthreaded cns sement insleeves 88and88 whichareweldedorbrased to brass rings 88 and 82, respectively, carried in 'alignmentwithandweldedtotheinnerperiphery 8 oithepartitions82and88,-respecti lo1y.toprovide sealed Joints therewith.

In order to provide for applying pressure to thestacl: l2tomaintainitinfloating relation withinthecasqspfingmembersflandflare lll sposedtobesecuredtothesleevesfland 88, respectively, to bias the pressure plates 82 and 88 toward each other. The spring members 88 and 88 illustrated are leaf sprlngsand may bcofstar-shapeormaybecirculardisks,the

ends or outer peripheries of which arev bent to seat against ring members 88 and 18, respectively. Ring-- members 88 and I8 are or stainless steel andaretoseatminsttheouterwalls of sections 22 and 28, respectively, and their 99 respective partitions 82 and 88. Ring members ance material such as carbon or the like mounted 3 25 hereinafter.

In order to provide for the making of electrical connections to the opposite ends of the stack l2 and to securethe spring members 88 and 88 to '0 the sleeves 88 and 88, respectively, rings I2 and .18 01' conducting material are secured to an end of each of the sleeves 88 and 88, respectively, in any suitable manner as by means of a pressed fit. In the assembly shown, a plurality of elements are secured and carried by each of the conducting ring members 12 and 18. Adjacent a surface of the ring member-s12 and 18, sheets of insulating material I8 and 18, respectively, are disposed on the other side of which stiffening members 88 and 82, respectively, are placed. Diaphragms 88 and 88 associated with'and seating against a face of each of the spring members 8'8 and 88, respectively, are next disposed against the respective stiii'ening members 88 and 82, other stiflening members 88 and 88, respectively, being positioned against the other side oi the respective spring members 88 and 88. To complete the movable spring assembly, the armature members 58 of electromagnets l8 and 28 I 50 are positioned against the stiffening or reenforc- 55 and consisting of the armature, spring members,

diaphragm, stiflening members and insulatin sheet associated with each of the sleeves 30 and 3|, are held as an integral unit by the screws 92 and M, respectively, and are secured to the respective conductive rings I2 and Il by screws 8 and ll, respectively, the latter being suitably insulated from the conducting rings.

As illustrated, each of the conducting rings I2 and I4 is provided with a projection or lug to which one end of conductors Ill and I .2, respectively, is connected, the other end of the conductor being secured to conducting bolts I and Ill, respectively, which extend through the side walls of the end sections 22 and 24, the conducting bolts being suitably insulated therefrom to provide leakproof joints therewith.

When mounted in this manner, the stack I2 is carried in floating relation within the casing I8, the bias of the spring members 84 and 26 being suiflcient to maintain the stack in operative position, the flexible spring members I and I comprising the onLv support for the movable elements of the assembly.

In order to maintain the windings ll of the electromagnets I l and 2. in position within the casing, end plates I" and III, respectively, are secured to the ends of the sections 22 and 24, the end plates Ill and III fltting tightly against the sleeves 5i and II, respectively. In assembling the electromagnets II and 20, the core members II are threadedly adjusted within the sleeves 56 and I. to adjust the air gap between the armature members 50 of the respective electromagnets I8 and 2|. When the core members 48 are properly adjusted, the outer ends of the core members 42 are sealed to the sleeves It and 58 by brazing, as shown at I I2. This, together with the brazing or welding of the sleeves BI and II with the brass rings II and 82, respectively, to the partitions 52 and 54 ot the end sections 22 and 24, constitutes an effective sealing of the ends of the casing It.

In adjusting the position of the core members 42, it is to be noted that a required balance between the magnetic pole and the force of the spring members N and l over an operating range of the regulator is effected, it being noted that, as the armature member is attracted toward its core member, the magnetic pull increases. This increase in the magnetic pull is offset by the bias of the spring members 64 and I seated against the ring members i8 and II, respectively, it being noted that with the ends of the spring members seating against the sloped surface of the ring members that the effective arm length of the spring members changes as the armature members of the assembly move towards their associated core members.

In order to effectively aid in dissipating any heat that may be generated in the stack I2 of disks II, a plurality of radiating flns Ill are disposed about the constricted section 28 of the casing, the flns Iil preferably formed of aluminum or the like and being formed on a sleeve which flts about the constricted area. The fin assembly may be formed in two half-sections which, when placed about the constriction section 2., may be bolted together to form a continuous radiating assembly about the constricted section 26. I

As illustrated, the end section 22 is provided with a vent Ili which is utilized for the admission of a fluid insulating medium I II into the casing I6. When the elements of the regulator are assembled, as described hereinbefore, the end sections 22 and 24 are sealed to the intermediate constricted section as at I22 and I22, by brazing or suitably welding the joints to eflectively seal shown) beingattachedtothevent lllforaccompushing this pus-me, and, when evacuated, the thermally conducting electrically insulating fluid medium iilisadmittedtothehousing. 'Ihefluid medium Ill maybeeithergaseousorliquid, the main requirement being that the medium utilized beinerttothematerialsuchascarbonwhichis utilised in formed disks II of the stack, and that it has no chemical effect on the composition of the other movable elements within the casing.

The gases helium and hydrogen are especially suitedforuseinthecasing I! asthey areinert withrespecttothedishamakingitpomibleto operate the resulator at elevated temperatures without destroying the dish. II. Further, hydro. gen and helium, transmit heat at a rate about sixtimesiasterthancanbeobtainedifthethermally conducting fluid medium is not present within the casing. As gases are inert with respecttothe disksofresistancemateriahalomer liieofthediskscanbeobtainedasthegaspreventsfrostingorireezingofthedisksdueto sweating and also prevents deterioration of the disks by excluding oxygen therefrom.

Where a liquid medium is used instead of the inert gaseous medium, it is preferred to employ a permanent liquid dialkyl silicone. Of the known silicones, that silicone liquid which is essentially dimethyl silicone which has been polymerized and is free of mono-methyl silicone groups is preferred. The essentially dimethyl silicones are produced by iractionating a mixture of methyl silicone ethoxides to separate the dimethyl silicone diethoxide as a substantially pure component which is hydrolyzed to the dimethyl silicol and then dehydrated with an agent such as sulphuric acid to dimethyl silicones of predetermined molecular size. By fractionating the oily dimethyl silicones, a stable liquid of predetermined viscosity may be obtained. This process and product are described in greater detail in the copending application of J. (3. Ford and J. R. Wenzel, Serial No. 439,066, flied April 15, 1942, and assigned to the assignee of this invention. The dimetlnrl silicone insulating medium is especially suited for use in the regulator of this invention, as it is especially stable over wide ranges of temperature, very little change in viscosity being encountered over ranges of from -'l0 F. up to as high as 500 F.

After the fluid medium III is admitted to the housing It, a cap I24 is placed upon the vent H8 and the joint is braced or soldered as at I26 for effectively sealing the vent. Thus, all the moving elements of the regulator are enveloped in a fluid insulating medium, and the casing is sealed to prevent loss or contamination of the fluid insulating medium.

The diaphragms l4 and 88, associated with the spring members 04 and 68, respectively, are preferably in the form of flat disks which extend across the end sections 22 and 2| and terminate adjacent the side walls of the end sections. When the casing I. i fllled with the fluid insulating medium IIO, as described hereinbefore, it is found that the diaphragms N and 86 cooperate therewith to eflectively damp vibrations of the movable elements within the casing. This is evident when it is considered that the fluid insulating medium III envelops the diaphragms N and .8 providing a cushion of the fluid mediumaboutbothsidefa'cesofeachofthedir.

suchvibrationscannotbeabsorbedbythespring I members 04 and 8!, then the diaphragms-ll and l. function to efllciently. damp the vibrations.

By utilizing two electromagnets disposed for controlling the pressure appliedto the stack, it is apparent that the sensitivity of the regulator is greatly increased for where both electromagnets are energised simultaneously less energisingforceisrequiredtoobtainthesametotal pressure change, as in previous regulators where a single electromagnet is'employed. Where the change in' the energiaatlon of the electromagnets issimul ,thechangeinthepressureapplied to the stackv l2 effects a more uniform change in resistance as the pressure applied to each end of thestack is changed with the result that a more uniform pressure is applied to the stack for a decrease in energization or a more uniform releasing pressure is obtained where the change in the energization of the electromagnets is an increase. The even distribution of the disks ll of the stack under the change of pressure effects a more even distribution of heat throughout the stack as well as a substantially uniform I voltage per disk throughout the length of the stack.

Since the stack of disks ll are carried in a floating relation in the casing, a longer life of the stack is obtained as any jarring or force applied to the regulator is absorbed in the spring mounting for the floating stack or the vibrations are damped by reason of the diaphragms, thereby preventing cracking or breaking of the individual disks of the stack.

Although this invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is, of course, not to be limited thereto except in so far as is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims. I

I claim as my invention:

1. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces tothe stack to eiiect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying suflicient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions,

the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position. means associated with each of the spring members operative under predetermined conditions for controlling the pressure applied to the stack by the-spring members, and a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed withinthe-casingtoenvelopthefloatingmemberstherein.

2. Inaregulator,incombination,acasing; a disposed stack ofdisks'ofresistancematerial within the casing. a spring member associated -witheachendofthestack.thespringmembers being disposed under'compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack I to effect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintainingthe disksofthe stack aligned,the spring members cooperatingwiththecasingandstackforapplying suflicient pressure to maintain the align-Y 'ingmeansandthestackinafloatingposition within the casing. under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means forthestackto maintainthestackinsaidfloating pomtion, an electromagnet associated with eachofthespringmembemeachoitheelectromagnets having an armature member disp e within the casing for movement with the associated spring member, the armature members beingdisposedtoconia'ol thepressureappliedtoi thestackbythespringmembersinresponseto the energization of the electromagnetsyand a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein.

3. Ina regulator, in combination, a casing, a

stack ofdisksofresistance materialdisposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack,. the spring members being disposed under compression within the easing to apply opposite forces to the stack whereby the stack is supported in a floating pofltion withinthecasingbyonlythepressureofthe opposed spring members, the spring members also eflecting a compression of the stack, an electromagnet associated with each of the spring members, each of the electromagnets having an armature member disposed within the casing for movement with the associated spring member, the armature members being disposed to control the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members in response to the energization of the electromagnets, and a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the I stack and associated spring and armature members.

. 4. In a regulator, in combination, a casing. a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to eflect a compression thereof, means carried by position, means associated with each of the spring members operative under predetermined conditions for. controlling the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members, a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the floating members therein, and means associated with each of the spring members disposed to cooperate with the fluid insulating medium to damp excessive movement of the movable members other than predetermined movements.

5. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to efiect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying suflicient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position, means associated with each of the spring members operative under predetermined conditions for controlling the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members, a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the floating members therein, and a diaphragm carried by each of the spring members, the diaphragms having free edges extending outwardly into the fluid insulating medium to cooperate therewith to damp excessive movement of the movable members other than predetermined movements.

6. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to effect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying suflicient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position, means associated with each of the spring members operative under predetermined conditions for controlling the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members, a diaphragm associated with each of the spring members disposed to extend substantially perpendicular to the line of the compressive force applied to the stack, the diaphragms having free edges terminating adjacent the casing, and a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the floating members therein, the diaphragms and fluid medium cooperating to damp excessive movementof the movable elements other than predetermined movements.

7. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casingto apply opposite forces to the stack to effect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying sufficient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only sunasoaou portingmeansforthestacktomaintainthestack in said floating position. an electromagnet havinganarmaturememberassoeiatedwitheachof the spring members, the armature members beingdisposedwithinthecasingandmechanically coupled to their associated spring members to control the pressure applied to the stack in response to the energization of the electromagnets, and a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein.

8. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to eflect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying sumcient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position, an electromagnet associated with each of the spring members, each of the electromagnets having an armature member disposed within the casing for movement with the associated spring member, the armature members being disposed to control the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members in response to the energization of the electromagnets, a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein, and means associated with each of the spring members disposed to cooperate with the fluid insulating medium to damp excessive movement of the movable members other than predetermined movements.

9. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a stack of disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to effect a compression thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying suflicient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position, an electromagnet associated with each of the spring members, each of the electromagnets having an armature member disposed within the casing for movement with the associated spring member, the armature members being disposed to control the pressure applied to the stack by the spring members in response to the energization of the electromagnets, a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein, and a diaphragm carried by each of the spring members, the diaphragms having free edges extending outwardly into the fluid insulating medium to cooperate therewith to damp excessive movement of the movable members other than predetermined movements.

10. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a

stack 01' disks of resistance material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to effect a compression thereof, means carried'by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying suiilcient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said ,floating position, an electromagnet having an armature member associated with each of the spring members, the armature members being disposed within the casing and mechanically coupled to their associated spring members to control the pressure applied to the stack in response to the energization of the electromagnets, a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein, and means associated with each of the spring members disposed to cooperate with the fluid insulating medium to damp excessive movement of the movable members other than predetermined movements.

11. In a regulator, in combination, a casing, a

stack of disks of resistance. material disposed within the casing, a spring member associated with each end of the stack, the spring members being disposed under compression to seat within the casing to apply opposite forces to the stack to effect a compressive movement thereof, means carried by the opposed spring members for maintaining the disks of the stack aligned, the spring members cooperating with the casing and stack for applying sufficient pressure to maintain the aligning means and the stack in a floating position within the casing under all operating conditions, the opposed spring members and aligning means carried thereby being the only supporting means for the stack to maintain the stack in said floating position, an electromagnet associated with each of the spring members, each of the electromagnets having an armature member disposed within the casing for movement with the associated spring member. the electromagnets being disposed when energized to eiTect a simultaneous release of the compressive forces of the spring members on the floating stack whereby a substantially even movement of the disks throughout the length of the floating stack is obtained, and a thermally conducting fluid insulating medium disposed within the casing to envelop the movable members therein.

' BASCUM O. AUSTIN. 

